Actress Minnie Driver expressed her disagreement with Matt Damon’s recent statements, arguing that men “simply cannot comprehend the daily experience of abuse” and should not attempt to differentiate or explain sexual misconduct against women.

Driver’s comments came in response to a recent ABC News interview with Damon, her former co-star in the Oscar-winning 1997 film Good Will Hunting.

In the interview, Damon stated that sexual misconduct by powerful men represented “a spectrum of behavior” and argued that there was a difference between various forms of misconduct, such as patting someone on the buttocks and committing rape or child molestation.

While Damon acknowledged the current “watershed moment” for women and praised their empowerment to share their stories, he also warned about the “culture of outrage and injury” prevalent in society.

Driver took to Twitter to express her frustration with Damon’s comments, arguing that men expressing opinions on women’s experiences of abuse reveal themselves as “utterly tone-deaf” and part of the systemic problem.

Driver’s response quickly gained traction on social media, as did actress Alyssa Milano’s statement comparing different forms of abuse to various stages of cancer.

In an interview with the Guardian, Driver explained her decision to speak out, asserting that most men, even those she loves, have a limited understanding of the daily reality of abuse.

She emphasized that no one can tell a woman about her abuse, as it is a deeply personal and individual experience.

The controversy surrounding Driver’s comments comes amidst a broader national reassessment of gender relations sparked by allegations against Harvey Weinstein, an executive producer of Good Will Hunting.

During his ABC interview, Damon compared allegations against Weinstein, Al Franken, Kevin Spacey, and comedian Louis CK, praising the latter for his remorseful response.

However, Driver questioned Damon’s defense of Louis CK, expressing concern that if men like Damon think this way, society is in serious trouble.

She called for all men to condemn abuse in all its forms and recognize that they should not hold the power to interpret or rank abuse inflicted on women.

Driver described Damon’s stance as an Orwellian notion, arguing that there should be no hierarchy of abuse and that men should simply listen to women without offering opinions on the matter.

In the wake of allegations against Weinstein, numerous women have come forward detailing their experiences of abuse.

Driver shared her own experiences of verbal abuse, sexual remarks, and career-threatening incidents, but expressed optimism that as the culture of harassment and abuse is exposed, men will find ways to support women.

She emphasized the importance of men being supportive and not questioning women’s experiences, and urged them not to offer opinions on how women should process abuse.